Rotary observation tower equipment

ABSTRACT

A rotary observation tower. An erected frame has a pair of endless chains wound around chain wheels driven in the same direction at the same speed. Outwardly protruding arms are provided at spaced intervals on the pair of endless chains, and a frame is rotatably mounted on the other end of each arm around a horizontal axis which is parallel with the axis of the chain wheel. A gondola is rotatably suspended from the center of each frame around a perpendicular axis. A guide rail curved so as to constitute a part of a helix is provided on the outside of the erected frame so that the said guide rail will cause the gondola to rotate around its perpendicular axis as it is elevated by means of guiding wheels mounted on the external periphery of the gondola.

United States Patent [72] inventor Seiichl Nlshizawn Toyonaka-shi, Japan[21] Appl. No. 833,425 [22] Filed June 16, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 5,1971 [73] Assignee Sanseiyusokl Co., Ltd.

Osaka, Japan [32] Priority Dec. 19, 1968 [33] Japan [31] 43/112387 [54]ROTARY OBSERVATION TOWER EQUIPMENT 3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl. 272/7, 198/158,104/127 [51] Int. Cl A63; 1/06 [50] Field 01Search 272/6, 7, 36, 38, 33, 34, 43; 104/53, 55, 56, S7, 77, 78, 127;198/158 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 431,262 7/1890Henderson 198/158 X 719,751 2/1903 Condon 104/56 X Primary ExaminerAntonO. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Arnold W. Kramer Attorney-Wenderoth, Lind8L Ponack ABSTRACT: A rotary observation tower. An erected frame has apair of endless chains wound around chain wheels driven in the samedirection at the same speed. Outwardly protruding arms are provided atspaced intervals on the pair of endless chains, and a frame is rotatablymounted on the other end of each arm around a horizontal axis which isparallel with the axis of the chain wheel. A gondola is rotatablysuspended from the center of each frame around a perpendicular axis. Aguide rail curved so as to constitute a part of a helix is provided onthe outside 01' the erected frame so that the said guide rail will causethe gondola to rotate around its perpendicular axis as it is elevated bymeans of guiding wheels mounted on the external periphery of thegondola.

PATENTED am 5 I97:

SHEET 1 OF 7 PATENTED OCT 5 I97! SHEET 5 0F 7 PATENTEDOCT 5|97i (1510614SHEET 7 OF T ROTARY OBSERVATION TOWER EQUIPMENT This invention relatesto a rotary observation tower to be provided in a recreation ground ofthe like, and more particularly it is characterized by the feature thateach gondola, or the chairs thereinside, which carries passengersrotates round its own axis as it ascends or descends.

The observation tower of the conventional merry-go-round type is simplyelevated by the rotation of the gondola-sustaining frame or chairs, as aresult of which the passengers are required to turn their heads aroundto have a panoramic view from the observation tower.

The object of the invention consists in providing a rotary observationtower in which the foregoing defects of the con ventional merry-go-roundtype have been removed by a simple device.

With the aim of achieving the said object, the invention provides anapparatus wherein each gondola itself which is fastened to the chainsrotates on its own axis as it ascends or descends, or an apparatuswherein, though the gondola itself does not rotate, the chairs providedthereinside rotate so that the same effect is obtained as in the case ofthe rotary gondola. The preferred embodiments will be described indetail with reference to the annexed drawing. Revisions or modificationsas regards the details of the structure are to be included in the claimswhich will appear hereinafter.

In the drawing:

FIG. I is an elevation showing embodiment no. I of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a lateral view on an enlarged scale of the essential part ofthe foregoing embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation on an enlarged scale of the gondola ofthe foregoing embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional plan of the foregoing gondola.

FIG. 5 is an elevation showing embodiment no. 2 of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a lateral view on an enlarged scale showing the lower part offoregoing embodiment no. 2.

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevation in part on an enlarged scale of theforegoing gondola.

In embodiment no. 1 illustrated in FIGS. I to 4, the numeral lldesignates a frame erected on the ground, 12 designated a pair ofendless chains.

The curved portion at the upper end of each of the said chains 12 iswound around a chain wheel 14 of a large diameler fixed to each end of ashaft I3 which is revolvably mounted across the upper end of the frame11.

The bent portion at the lower end of each chain 12 is wound around asmaller chain wheel 16 which is fixed to each end of a pair of shafts I5revolvably mounted on each side of the lower part of the frame 11.

The lower chain wheels are made smaller and provided at each side sothat the chains 12 will run horizontally and accordingly the gondolas 17will move horizontally between the two chain wheels 16. A platform 18for the passengers is provided at this point.

Each of the gondolas I7 is revolvably suspended from a frame 20 fittedon a pair of arms I9 extending outwardly from the chain I2, the arms l9consisting of two rods arranged in the shape of the letter V. As isclear from FIG. 4, the frame 20 is revolvably fixed to the arms 19 on ahorizontal shaft at each end thereof, an upward shaft 22 at the upperend center of each gondola 17 being revolvably and securely fitted intothe central bearing 23 of the frame 20 so that each gondola 17 will berevolvable around the shaft 22 which is vertical.

The gondola 17 illustrated has a square cross section a large and roundtransparent glass window or the like being provided on each of the fourwalls so as to enable the passengers to enjoy the view all around fromthe inside. Furthermore, it is so arranged that one of the four walls isan openable door, which of course can be locked up. Inside the gondolathere are a plu rality of chairs 25 each provided with a table on whichto put coffee or any other beverage.

On each of the four corners of the upper part of the 17 is mounted arevolving wheel 27 which is revolvable on a shaft 26 arrangeddiagonally, while to each of the four corners on the lower face of thegondola 17 is revolvably mounted a horizontal wheel 29 on a verticalshaft 28.

The numeral 30 designates a channel-shaped perpendicular rail providedon each side of the frame I1 into which the vertically moving part ofeach chain 12 is fitted, a revolvable wheel 31 which fits into the saidrail 30 being provided on both sides of the chain 12, so that the chain12 will be elevated along the rail 30 in a stabilized state.

A guide rail 32 is provided on one side of the frame 11 with which toguide the wheels 27 of the gondola 17 so as to cause it to rotate as itascends or descends.

The foregoing guide rail 32, as is clear from FIGS. 2 and 4, is in theshape of a segment which is a quarter part of a helix concentric withshaft 22 and at the same radius as the four wheels 27 the shaft 22 beingthe axis of rotation of the gondola 17, the said guide rail 32 beingfixed to the frame 1] on arms 33 projecting therefrom. The foregoingguide rail 32 consists of two angle pieces arranged in parallel leavinga space therebetween in which to receive the wheels 27 of the gondola17, the wheels 27 being annularly guided as they pass between the anglepieces of the rail 32 causing the gondola I7 to rotate accordingly.Further, on the platform 18 are provided a pair of parallel guide rails34 which prevent the rotation of the gondola l7 by guiding the wheels 29at both sides of the lower part of the gondola 17, an arcuate guide rail35 being likewise fastened to the upper end of the frame II so as toprevent the rotation of the gondola 17 by guiding the wheels 29 on bothsides of the lower part of the gondola 17 which moves together with therevolving chain I2, being suspended in the space between the chainwheels I4.

Furthermore, slip rings 36 are provided at the upper end of theforegoing shaft 22 to supply power to electric lights or the like insidethe gondola 17, a feeding brush 37 inside the frame 20 being broughtinto contact with the said slip rings 36, slip rings with which tosupply power to the brush 37 being also provided at the end of the shaft21 of the frame 20, a feeding brush 39 which is provided on the arm 19being brought into contact with the said slip rings 38, power collectors41 being provided on the arm 19 to supply power collected from powerwire 40 to the brush 39 by being in contact with the power wire 40 tothe brush 39 by being in contact with the power wire 40 provided on theoutside of the frame 11.

In the foregoing embodiment no. is if all or any of the chain wheels I4and 16 is driven in the direction indicated by the arrows by means of anappropriate driving means having a motor, each of the chains revolves inthe said direction at a given speed, the gondolas fixed to the chains 12descending on the right side and those on the left side ascending asindicated by the arrows in FIG. 1. At the same time, each gondola 17rotates with its wheels 27 guided by the rail 32, the chairs 2S insidethe gondola I7 also moving together with the gondola l7, enabling thepassengers seated in the chairs 25 to enjoy comfortably a panoramic viewwithout the necessity of turning their heads to the right or left unlikethe case of the conventional merry-go-round.

ln embodiment no. 2 illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7, the numeral 51designates a frame erected on the ground, 52 designating a pair ofendless chains. The curved portion at the upper end of each chain 52 iswound around a pair of chain wheels 54 respectively which are fixed toeach end of a shaft 53 horizontally mounted on the upper end of theframe 51.

The bent portion at the lower end of each chain 52 is wound around achain wheel 56 at each end of a shaft 55 revolvably fixed to each sideof the lower part of the frame 51.

The lower chain wheels 56 are provided on both sides so that the chain52 will be horizontal between the said two wheels 56 thus enabling thegondolas 57 to move horizontally, a platform 58 being provided at thesaid part for the convenience of boarding and alighting of thepassengers.

The gondola 57 is revolvably suspended around a horizontal shaft 60mounted in a pair of arms 59 mounted at spaced intervals on the chain52, the said arms 59 consisting of two rods arranged in the shape of theletter V.

On each side of the foregoing frame 51 a pair of longitudinal channelrails 61 are provided so that the insides thereof face each other,wheels 62 fixed to both sides of the chain 52 being fitted into the saidrail 61 so as to enable the chain 52 to move up and down along the rail61 in a stabilized state.

Each gondola 57 is provided with a plurality of transparent glasswindows 63 on all sides thereof so as to enable the passengers tocommand a panoramic view from the inside. A doorway 64 is provided onone of the walls, which can be securely locked.

A post 65 provided at the internal center of the gondola 57, and to theupper end thereof is fixed the center of a table 66 which is round or ofthe like shape. On the floor of the gondola S7 is provided a turntable67 which is revolvable around on the post 65 as the axis of rotation, aplurality of wheels 68 provided around the said turntable 67 beingplaced on an annular rail 71 provided on the floor 69 of the gondola 57so as to sustain the load placed on the turntable 67.

A plurality of chairs 70 are fixed on the foregoing turntable 67 so thatthe passengers sitting in the chairs 70 can take food and drink placedon the table 66.

In the foregoing embodiment no. 2 also, if all or any of the chainwheels 54 and 56 is driven in the direction indicated by the arrows bymeans of an appropriate driving means having a motor, each chain 52revolves in the said direction at a given speed, the gondolas 57 fixedto the chain 52 descending on the right side and ascending on the leftside as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 5. Between the chain wheels 56at the lower part the gondolas 57 move horizontally along the platform58 enabling the passengers to get in or out of the gondolas 57 throughthe open door 64.

lnside each gondola 57 a table 66 is provided with chairs 70 arrangedtherearound enabling the passengers to take drink, such as coffee andthe like, or food. Moreover, since the chairs 70 are placed on theturntable 67 the passengers can move their chairs 70 around the table 66by manually pushing on the periphery of the table 66. Since the chairs70 inside the gon dola 57 are thus revolvable with the passengerssitting thereon, the passengers are enabled to enjoy a panoramic viewcomfortably without the trouble of turning their heads to the right orleft.

In both of the foregoing two embodiments, food and drink are to becarried into each gondola 57 before the passengers go on board, butautomatic vendors of food and drink may be provided in each gondola 57.

In embodiment no. 2 also, supply of power for the electric lights insidethe gondolas is necessary, but the means for providing the power supplyis omitted because there is not much difference from the case ofembodiment no. t in this respect.

In embodiment no. 2 the turntable 67 may be so arranged that it willrevolve automatically at a slow speed by providing a driving meanshaving a motor inside the gondola 57. Or, revolving chairs may bemounted on the floor 69 by omitting the turntable 67. Or, accommodationsmay be appropriately interchanged between embodiment no. 1 andembodiment no. 2 for example, by providing the gondola of embodiment no.1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 with the tables 66, the turntables 67, thechairs 70 thereon and the like as shown in embodiment no. 2

As described heretofore, the rotary observation tower of the inventionis not restricted to the elevation of the gondolas, but each gondolaitself or the chairs thereinside rotate, thus enabling the passengers toenjoy a panoramic view comfortably and moreover to take food and drinkfreely sitting inside the gondola.

The invention has further advantages in that the rotation of thegondolas can be effected with ease taking advantage of the elevatingmovement and the spiral guide rail and the revolution of the turntableinside the gondola can also be effected with ease by hand or a simpledriving means having a motor.

What is claimed is:

l. A rotary observation tower comprising a vertically extending frame,chain wheels rotatably mounted on the uglper part and the lower part ofthe said rame, a pair of en ess chains wound around said chain wheels,driving means coupled to at least one of said chain wheels for drivingsaid one chain wheel, outwardly protruding arms mounted on the said pairof endless chains at spaced intervals, horizontal support meansrotatably mounted on the external end of each arm centering androtatably around a horizontal axis which is parallel with the axis ofthe chain wheels, a gondola having the upper end rotatably mounted onsaid support means for rotation around a perpendicular axis, a guiderail on said frame so curved as to constitute a part of a helix, andguide wheels on the outside of the gondola engageable with said guiderail during movement of said chains to cause the gondola to rotatearound said perpendicular axis as it is moved along said guide rail onsaid chains.

2. A rotary observation tower as claimed in claim I further comprising atable in the center of said gondola, and chairs mounted in said gondolafor movement around said table as a center.

3. A rotary observation tower as claimed in claim 2, in which a rotaryturntable is provided in each of the gondolas movable around said tableas a center, said chairs being provided on the said turntable.

1. A rotary observation tower comprising a vertically extending frame,chain wheels rotatably mounted on the upper part and the lower part ofthe said frame, a pair of endless chains wound around said chain wheels,driving means coupled to at least one of said chain wheels for drivingsaid one chain wheel, outwardly protruding arms mounted on the said pairof endless chains at spaced intervals, horizontal support meansrotatably mounted on the external end of each arm centering androtatably around a horizontal axis which is parallel with the axis ofthe chain wheels, a gondola having the upper end rotatably mounted onsaid support means for rotation around a perpendicular axis, a guiderail on said frame so curved as to constitute a part of a helix, andguide wheels on the outside of the gondola engageable with said guiderail during movement of said chains to cause the gondola to rotatearound said perpendicular axis as it is moved along said guide rail onsaid chains.
 2. A rotary observation tower as claimed in claim 1 furthercomprising a table in the center of said gondola, and chairs mounted insaid gondola for movement around said table as a center.
 3. A rotaryobservation tower as claimed in claim 2, in which a rotary turntable isprovided in each of the gondolas movable around said table as a center,said chairs being provided on the said turntable.